You will find here some articles about several birds’ species.
I can see the most part of these birds in my region. They breed or winter here and I observe them in their natural environment.
Others are seen in captivity, but their story is interesting and I am glad to share it with you.
Basic articles
Description of the bird and its plumage
Birds' legs and feet: different shapes
From observation to photograph… or the contrary?
Introductions or descriptions
Orders and/or Families
Family Accipitridae - Description
Family Accipitridae - List groups
1- Kites, Cuckoo-hawks, Honey-buzzards
2- Fish-eagles - Feeding behaviour
4- Snake-Eagles, Serpent-Eagles and Bateleur
5- Harrier-hawks - Harriers - Crane Hawk
6- Goshawks, Sparrowhawks, Hawks
7- Buzzards – Hawks – Buzzard-Eagle – Solitary Eagles
10- Booted eagles
Order Anseriformes (Ducks, geese, swans)
Birds of Prey (Accipitridae, Cathartidae, Sagittariidae, Pandionidae, Falconidae)
Hornbills (Hornbills, ground-hornbills)
Pheasants (Pheasants, peafowls)
Order Passeriformes (Passerines of the world)
Order Psittaciformes (Parrots and cuckatoos)
Family Ardeidae (Herons, egrest, night-herons)
Family Bombycillidae (Waxwings)
Family Cathartidae (New World Vultures)
Family Ciconiidae (Wood Storks, Openbills, Storks)
Family Columbidae (Pigeons and Doves)
Family Corvidae (Nutcrackers, jackdaws, ravens, crows, jays, magpies, ground jays, treepies
Family Cuculidae (Cuckoos, malkohas, couas, coucals, roadrunners...)
Family Emberizidae (Buntings, sparrows, juncos, cardinals, grosbeaks)
Family Falconidae (Falcons, caracaras)
Family Fringillidae (Chaffinches, Crossbills, bullfinches, goldfinches, grosbeaks, linnets, euphonias, rosefinches, canaries, siskins, greenfinches)
Family Gruidae (Cranes)
Family Icteridae (Blackbirds, caciques, oropendolas, orioles, troupials, grackles, meadowlarks, cowbirds, Bobolink)
Family Laridae (Gulls, terns, noddies and skimmers)
Family Mimidae (Mockingbirds, Thrashers, Tremblers, Catbirds)
Family Muscicapidae (Scrub Robins, Robin Chats, Forktails, Flycatchers, Bluethroats, Rock Thrushes, Robins, Redstarts, Magpie-Robins, Bush Chats, Stonechats, Wheatears)
Family Opisthocomidae (Hoatzin)
Family Otididae (Bustards, Floricans and Korhaans)
Family Paridae (Tits, Chickadees, Titmice)
Family Phaethontidae (Tropicbirds)
Family Phoenicopteridae (Flamingos)
Family Picidae (Woodpeckers, Piculets, Wrynecks)
Family Rallidae (Coots, Moorhens, Crakes, Rails, Swamphens)
Family Rhynochetidae (Kagu)
Family Scolopacidae (Snipes, woodcocks, dowitchers, turnstones, sandpipers, ruffs, phalaropes, godwits, curlews, shanks)
Family Stercorariidae (Skuas and Jaegers)
Family Strigidae (Owls)
Family Sulidae (Boobies and Gannets)
Family Tetraonidae (Grouses)
Family Trochilidae (Hummingbirds)
Family Troglodytidae (Wrens, Donacobius)
Family Turdidae (Thrushes)
Family Tyrannidae (Tyrants, Flycatchers)
Family Tytonidae (Owls genus Tyto)
Warblers (New World warblers)
Description of one species:
Behaviour, displays, diet...
Eurasian Griffon Vulture's reproduction
Parakeets, the little green invaders!
White-throated Dipper, the bird flying underwater!
The bird, this flying marvel so envied by humans, could have the Archaeopteryx as ancestor, known like the earliest bird up to know. However, without being their direct forefather, it is regarded as the most ancient bird, closely related to dinosaurs.
The bird, as we know it today, is living with us every day. Whether on the tree outside the window, under the house’s porch, in the garden, in town, in the countryside, at sea or in mountains, it is living everywhere.
Some species adapt easily to humans, whereas others, more unobtrusive, remain hidden in the forests. The seabirds fly over the waves off the crowded beaches in summer. The mountain birds share more peaceful habitat, but requiring specific qualities to survive in spite of harsh winters.
Each of them moves into a habitat suited to their needs. A bird, whatever it is, must find food, water, and nest-sites for breeding. When it does not find these things that are essential to its survival and that of its species, it goes elsewhere. It migrates, sometimes thousands of kilometers away, to find that it lacks here.
The problem of our modern world is that man occupies more and more space on earth, to the detriment of Nature and its inhabitants. Thus some species are declining, due to habitat loss. Fragmentation and clearing of forests, drainage of wetlands, construction of roads, pollution, are causing severe degradation to numerous habitat types. Thus, the bird has no more trees to nest near its feeding area or water, egg shells are weakened by the ingestion of toxic substances related to agriculture, their favorite preys become scarce. Species already begins to suffer ...
However, the most opportunistic are able to benefit from these changes, adapt and survive, showing how a healthy Nature is necessary for their survival.
Each species has adapted to an environment where balance is shaky. We must to preserve it!